dynamic equivalence is an approach to translation in which the original language is translated

“thought for thought”. Dynamic equivalence involves taking each sentence from the original text and
rendering it into a sentence in the target language that conveys the same meaning, but does not
necessarily use the exact phrasing or idioms of the original. The idea is to improve readability by
rephrasing constructions that could be confusing when literally translated, but retain some
faithfulness to the original text rather than creating a complete paraphrase.

When the principle of dynamic equivalence is applied in translation, the form of the original texts is
frequently changed; but as long as the change follows the rules of back transformation in the source
language, of contextual consistency in the transfer, and of transformation in the receptor language,
the message is preserved and the translation is faithful (Nida and Taber, 1982:200). Form this
perspective, it can be concluded that Nida is in favor of the application of dynamic equivalencee, as a
more effective translation procedure. Newmark (1981: 39) prefers the terms semantic and
communicative translation.

we quiet agree with Nida to apply the concept dynamic equivalence in translation text in order to
retain the three basic principles of translation, namely:

 faithful equivalence in meaning

 expressive clarity of form
 attractive elegance that makes a text pleasure to read

(Nida, 2001: 1).

Sources:

Eugene A. Nida: Theoreticion of Translation, by Phillips C. Stine.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/111590720/Eugene-A-Nida-Theoretician-of-Translation

Study of Nida’s (formal and dynamic equivalence) and Newmark’s (semantic and communicative
translation) translating theories on two short stories.
Merit Research Journal of Education and Review (ISSN: 2350-2282) Vol. 2(1) pp. 001-007, January,
201
Available on: http://www.meritresearchjournals.org/er/index.htm

LIU Dayan : Dynamic Equivalence and Formal Correspondence in Translation between Chinese and
English